Electric outlet box



June 4, 1940. v F. MUELLER 2,203,026

ELECTRIC QUTLET BOX Filed Oct. 20, 1938 ATTORNE Patented June 4, 1940UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC OUTLET BOX Ferdinand Mueller, NewYork, N. Y. Application October 20, 1938, Serial No. 235,939

1 Claim.

This invention relates to types of electrical devices in general use andknown commercially as electric outlet boxes.

An object of the invention is to provide an outlet box composed of twosections, respec-- tively inner and outer, the latter having openings inwhich fuse carrying plugs may be removably engaged.

Other objects of this invention, will be apparent in the followingdetailed description.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the wall receptacle with the cover plateomitted.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of lower portion of the device as assembled.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1showing the contact elements.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the removable contact plug.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the contact plug. Figure 8 is a crosssectional view taken on line 88 of Figure 6.

Figures 9 and 10 are two equal sections of the sembled therewith.

Figure 11 is a plan view of a modified form of a plug.

Figures 12 and 13 are plan views of a plug showing a modified method ofentering wires.

Referring to the drawing in greater detail, the

plan views, showing the plug with fuses asnumeral l5 indicates a fiatplate having a beveled, down turned margin and a pair of spaced openingsl6 receptive of raised elements extending outwardly from the face of anouter block l1, held by a retaining screw l8.

The front section I! of the box has opposed inreaching recesses IQ forconductors, and a pair of ,,spaced openings 20 to receive connectionplugs.

The front of the inner block 2| has an opening 20 in register with theplate openings 20. Chambers 22 extend inwardly partially through theinner block 2| forming spaced cavities receptive of contact springs 23,and spaced recesses 24, formed at right angles to the spring chambers22, on the opposite side of the block 2! to freely enclose curved flatsprings 25 to provide additional force to the contact springs 23.

The contact springs 23 are secured in the block 2| by screws 21, andheld from contact with the conductor bars 26 except when forcedoutwardly 5 by the connection plugs.

The conductor bars 26 are held securely against the outer walls of thechambers, and the units l1 and 2| are secured together by screws 28.

The connection plugs 29, which are an essen- 1o tial part of thisinvention, comprise two duplicate elements, as in Figures 9 and 10,which when placed face to face form a rectangle adapted to freely enterthe openings 20 of the blocks. It will be clearly seen that as a plug 29enters the block opening, the contact plates 33 cause the contactsprings 23 to be forced outwardly against the plates 26, whereby currentwill be conducted through the fuse and the connection plugs.

Figures 9 and 10 show the fiat inside faces of the ping elements inwhich are conductor channels 30, and fuse channels 3|; recesses 32 formseats upon which contact plates 33 are secured, the two plug elementsbeing firmly held together by a screw 34.

Figures 12 and 13 show a modification of the plug construction, and maybe preferred when separate conductors are employed, instead of the usualtwin wire conductors.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desiredto secure by Letters Patent is:

In an electric outlet box, a wall receptacle comprising a pair ofelongated rectangular blocks of substantially equal size and made ofnon-conductive material secured in juxtaposed inner and outer relationand recessed midway the length of their opposite longer side edges, flatterminals fixed in the bottoms of the side recesses of the 40 innerblock, a cover extending over the face of the outer block, said coverhaving openings through which portions of the faces of said outer blockextend, spaced sockets in said blocks receptive of conductor plugs,curled fiat spring conductors fixed on the juxtaposed face of the innerblock normally extending partially into said sockets to contact anentered plug, and transversely disposed bow springs held between saidblocks to reenforce said spring conductors, said conductors contactingsaid terminals upon the entrance of plugs in said sockets.

FERDINAND MUELLER.

